400 Year old Airstream??

[rideair]

Did Wally Byam invent the Airsteam or just re-use a 400 year old idea and put wheels on it? The picture was taken in Jamestown, VA during the their 400 year party. I'd hate to try and polish that one.

[rseagle]

The sections are held together with deer bones, thus the first use of "Buck" rivets.

[balrgn]

That is just too kool, thanks for sharing!

[overlander63]

But the door is on the wrong side!

[A-Merry-Can]

must be english.

[sd90mac]

Originally Posted by A-Merry-Can

must be english.

Yes, Jamestown was an English colony, so the door is on the correct side.

Marie

[A-Merry-Can]

spot on, mate.

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by A-Merry-Can

must be english.

But does it leak oil?

('74 MG Midget, '91 Jag Vanden Plas so I'm qualified to ask)

[A-Merry-Can]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

But does it leak oil?

('74 MG Midget, '91 Jag Vanden Plas so I'm qualified to ask)

ditto!

(land rover, triumph, and english wife)

[SteSpot]

Does it have a flush toilet?

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Does it have a flush toilet?

Yes, it's in the loo.

[SteSpot]

No Corning windows to replace.

[Minnie's Mate]

Yes, but is it all original and is it the original owner?

[InsideOut]

I think it definately needs a new axle...but the real question is, can it be polished?

Shari

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

I think it definately needs a new axle...but the real question is, can it be polished? Shari

Only with great effort, but it can be brushed quite easily.

[Ambie '64]

The Lucas electrical system seems a tad problematic.

65 Jag XKE
52 MG TD
61 MGA
80 MGB

Do not tow trailer in dampish weather.

[Rog0525]

Historians would have us believe that Wally Byam got the inspiration for the aerodynamic design of a lightweight metal travel trailer from his years of employment in the aircraft industry. Sadly, that is not the case. We know that Wally spent much of his childhood confined in a wooden sheepherder’s carriage. It is not surprising that after many lonely nights in a wood box with only sheep for companions, Wally became determined to find a more comfortable and appealing type of portable shelter. My exhaustive research led me to discover that Wally actually got his inspiration from early pioneers in the electric toaster industry.
It was on a sunny morning in the summer of 1936, while sitting at his breakfast table, eating a bowl of gruel and toast when his attention was drawn to the design of the Sunbeam Model T-1 Toaster on his table which had been invented by Alfred F. Fukal of Chicago, Illinois. Wow, thought Wally, that would be an almost perfect design for a towable shelter!
He immediately left his bowl of gruel half eaten and scurried to his workshop. Some years later, the famous design was created and the legend began.
I understand of course that some will doubt my factual collection of history, so I am attaching both Rukal’s original toaster design and a comparison to Byam’s early Airstream trailer designs. So for those doubters, ask yourself…does the design look more like an aircraft or more like a toaster?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

I understand of course that some will doubt my factual collection of history, so I am attaching both Rukal’s original toaster design and a comparison to Byam’s early Airstream trailer designs. So for those doubters, ask yourself…does the design look more like an aircraft or more like a toaster?

Having owned both, I would have to go with a flying toaster.

[yukionna]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

Historians would have us believe that Wally Byam got the inspiration for the aerodynamic design of a lightweight metal travel trailer from his years of employment in the aircraft industry. Sadly, that is not the case. We know that Wally spent much of his childhood confined in a wooden sheepherder’s carriage. It is not surprising that after many lonely nights in a wood box with only sheep for companions, Wally became determined to find a more comfortable and appealing type of portable shelter. My exhaustive research led me to discover that Wally actually got his inspiration from early pioneers in the electric toaster industry.
It was on a sunny morning in the summer of 1936, while sitting at his breakfast table, eating a bowl of gruel and toast when his attention was drawn to the design of the Sunbeam Model T-1 Toaster on his table which had been invented by Alfred F. Fukal of Chicago, Illinois. Wow, thought Wally, that would be an almost perfect design for a towable shelter!
He immediately left his bowl of gruel half eaten and scurried to his workshop. Some years later, the famous design was created and the legend began.
I understand of course that some will doubt my factual collection of history, so I am attaching both Rukal’s original toaster design and a comparison to Byam’s early Airstream trailer designs. So for those doubters, ask yourself…does the design look more like an aircraft or more like a toaster?

Rog...you present a very compelling argument! I don't know what to say except that there doesn't seem to be anyway to dispute that argument.

[Rog0525]

Another little known fact is that Wally was the originator of the term "think outside the box".